Ex-William Grant CEO elected to Bacardi board

Stella David, the former CEO of William Grant & Sons, has been elected to join the 16-member board at Bacardi Limited.

Stella David, former William Grant CEO, has joined the Bacardi board

David, who held the role at William Grant from 2009 to February 2016, announced her departure from the drinks firm in December in order to focus on her non-executive directorships.

She will now serve in a non-executive capacity at Bacardi, where she held a number of roles from 1994 to 2009.

“Stella brings further expertise in the management and marketing of global spirits brands to the Bacardi board,” said Facundo L. Bacardi, great-great grandson of the Company’s founder and a fifth generation Bacardi family member.

“We are thrilled to have her back with us as her nearly 25 years of spirits industry experience with both Bacardi and William Grant will serve us well as we continue to grow and innovate.

“This appointment continues to reflect the company’s strong commitment to corporate governance within the spirits industry.”

During her 15-year tenure at Bacardi, David held a number of positions including CEO of the UK, Irish, Dutch and African businesses, vice president of global operations, managing director Asia Pacific and chief marketing officer.

Prior to joining Bacardi, she worked as the UK marketing controller at Golden Wonder/Homepride Foods, and prior to that she held a marketing role at Thorn EMI.

In addition, she has held board roles for a number of organisations including Nationwide Building Society.

She holds an engineering degree from Cambridge University and resides in London, England.

In other people news, Georgia Garinois-Melenikiotou, executive vice president of Corporate Marketing at Estée Lauder Companies, Inc., is retiring from the Bacardi board having served since 2012.

“We are thankful to have had Georgia serve on our Board, and are grateful for her many contributions and the positive impact she has made on the Company,” added Mr. Bacardi.